How to choose a Japanese reading level

The idea

Sample a short page before choosing a book. Can you follow who is doing what and the main outcome without looking up every word? A few unknown words are fine; if every sentence stops you, try an easier text. Use pictures, furigana and a glossary as needed, then move up when the current level feels comfortable. N5 is an approximate audience label, not an official word list.

Read the text

Examples

• 図書館としょかんで本ほんを選えらびます。I choose a book at the library.
• 表紙ひょうしに猫ねこの絵えがあります。There is a picture of a cat on the cover.
• 一いっページだけ読よみます。I read just one page.
• 知しらない言葉ことばが少すこしあります。There are a few words I don’t know.
• でも、話はなしの大切たいせつな所ところはわかります。But I understand the important parts of the story.
• この本ほんを借かりて、家いえで読よみます。I borrow this book and read it at home.

Watch out

A level label is a starting guess, not a guarantee. Do not insist on understanding every word before enjoying a text.

Try it yourself

1. Choose using the Japanese examples: 表紙ひょうしに何なにの絵えがありますか。（猫ねこ／犬いぬ）

   Show answer or example answer

   猫 / ねこ

   The example says: There is a picture of a cat on the cover.

2. Choose using the Japanese examples: 知しらない言葉ことばはどのくらいありますか。（少すこし／ありません）

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   少し / すこし

   The example says: There are a few words I don’t know.

3. Choose using the Japanese examples: この本ほんをどこで読よみますか。（家いえ／駅えき）

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   家 / いえ

   The example says: I borrow this book and read it at home.

Use it today

Read the six sentences once without a dictionary. Summarize the outcome, then check one word and decide whether the passage felt manageable.